Wayne Rooney News
14 December 2004 - Rooney's status in Europe.
Wayne Rooney came eighth in the vote for the European Footballer of the Year. The winner of the award known as the Ballon d'Or was Andriy Shevchenko.
Rooney was the youngest contender and was the only Englishman in the top 30.
19 November 2004 - Rooney - from hero to zero? I don't think so.
In various articles on the David Beckham update page I have discussed the curious habit of the English press and public to see things only in extremes. One minute Beckham was a villain of the first order, because he got sent off for England in the World Cup, and the next he is the ultimate hero for his critical role in the world cup qualifiers.
The fact is that young players are often guilty of petulance. And that is precisely the right word to describe Rooney's behaviour in Spain. His 'petulance' is the other side of the same coin as his great spirit and determination.
The match against Spain was appalling in so many ways. The racist behaviour of some of the Spanish fans, England's dire performance, and the general unfriendly aspects to the 'friendly'. All those aspects have been well-reported.
But what I found most interesting, and have seen no mention of, was Wayne Rooney's body language as a spectator in the second half.
In the post-mortem coverage of the game the Spanish winger, Joaquin was reported as saying:
"Rooney was like on another planet. It was like he didn't know where he was. I said to him 'What are you doing, this is a friendly?' I looked into his eyes and there was nothing there. His eyes were wild and he didn't know what he was doing."
I imagine Joaquin is laying it on a bit thick, but, in total contrast, unless my eyes deceived me whilst watching the BBC, Rooney appeared to return to the stadium and watch the remainder of the match as cool as a cucumber sipping on a bottle of something.
It will be interesting to see how referees and opposition teams will handle Rooney from now on. The latter will almost certainly taunt him and niggle him - but what of the former?
The power of the referee cannot be underestimated. Thus far, Rooney has not had too many problems with just one premiership booking from six games (4 of which were starts), but if a pattern of provocation is set in train, I believe that Sir Alex Ferguson might be best off selecting Rooney in the starting line-up for home games where he will get more referee protection and using him as a super-sub for away games - a role he played brilliantly for David Moyes at Everton.
28 September 2004 - Rooney Makes Stunning Debut for Man United
Sir Alex Ferguson is capable of making complete howlers in the transfer market, but he is also capable of trading genius. Manchester United this week announced their financial results and there was much made in the media about the level of agents' fees. But now, in one fell swoop, that all seems a long time ago. The reason: Rooney's performance tonight against Turkish side Fenerbahce in The Champion League.
By half time at Old Trafford Rooney was on the scoresheet twice with two fantastic goals. Almost as significant was his overall performance with good distribution, poise on the ball, and strong harrying of the opposition when off it.
In the half-time break ITV chose to focus on Rooney's sartorial style pointing out that he had torn his shirt at the neck before the game, with master tactician Terry Venables observing: "he is not a man of style"
After an early goal by Fenerbahce in the second half to make it 3-1, the Turkish side were struck by a fantastic Rooney free-kick to secure his first senior football hat-trick. For all his European goals, Ruud van Nistelrooy, who dethroned Denis Law as the most prolific European goalscorer for Manchester United when he scored twice against Lyon, has never scored a hat-trick for the Red Devils in Europe.
In the 58th minute, Wayne made an error, slamming the ball into the crowd for a bizarre corner against his own team. And once again United's weak defence was shown up. And Fenerbahce scored to make it 4-2.
Van Nistelrooy made it 5-2 and then in the 80th minute Rooney had an assist, with Bellion, who I had found unimpressive, scoring to make it six for United.
And that how it ended up, 6-2.
Fergie had been told by United chief executive David Gill that he had blown all his 2005 transfer budget on Rooney. That doesn't look such a bad thing now - especially as most of us could name a few expensive players in United shirts well worth selling.
The bookies were offering 20-1 in the morning that Rooney would score a hat-trick. This seemed poor value at the time, especially as his fitness would be in doubt and he might not play the whole game.
But it just goes to show what a magical game football is. And Manchester United and England are blessed with a magical forward.
Artist, Alan Dunn has been short-listed for the Comme Ca Art Prize. His entry is a billboard-sized work showing Rooney running and shouting towards another, smaller image in a corner of Rooney standing still.
Dunn said: "Rooney seems to have two sides to his personality and he displays them both very openly." This remark strikes me as very perceptive as the piece was created before the England striker's 'two sides' came through for all to see with his transfer from Everton to Manchester United.
Of course, Rooney is not the first footballer to be captured artistically. The National Portrait Gallery, for example, has several photographs of those involved in soccer. A varied collection, true, but there does seem to be a disproportionate number of Manchester United players: The Nevilles, Ryan Giggs, George Best, and Bobby Charlton are all there.
A former United star, David Beckham is also featured.
According to the National Portrait Gallery David by Sam Taylor-Wood "is an intimate portrait, which was shot in a single long take. Beckham was filmed sleeping, after training in Madrid. Simply lit from one light source this rich, painterly film presents a reverential and vulnerable image of this international football icon."
At first glance I thought this description was pretentious claptrap, but in actual fact, it makes perfect sense. In many ways the media image of 'Becks' has always been 'reverential' and 'vulnerable' - but just not simultaneously.
I remember Rooney, elated after scoring, lifting up his shirt to reveal a vest that proclaimed: 'Once a Blue Always a Blue'. Well, not anymore. From today Wayne Rooney has become a Red Devil - in more ways than one in the eyes of Everton fans.
I have to say that I can't imagine many of his critics who call him Judas, not being tempted themselves by such a lucrative financial package and Champion's League football.
The irony is that Everton have probably done very well out of the deal. Debt-ridden, they held out to the last possible moment and have - maybe not filled their coffers - but, at least, bought some time.
Nobody can deny that United have not purchased a great asset - and that is what players are these days. It will be interesting to see what happens to United's share price in the ensuing weeks. Alex Ferguson seems to be a man not about to retire as he accumulates great young players who will surely get better and better over the years. If one takes a long-term view the Rooney deal looks good business; but, surely, in the short-term, Man U need to shore up their defence rather than their attack.
But, for any manager who strives for success in Europe as their main goal, collecting players like Ronaldo and Rooney who have performed so well on the Euro 2004 stage can be no bad thing. This season, we could be looking at United out of the top three in the Premiership (ironically they have just drawn 0-0 with Everton); and yet becoming Champions League winners.
Either way, it was not so long ago - the period up until he turned 17 - that Wayne Rooney was plying his trade for £100 a week. Everton have definitely got their money's worth out of him.